Reflections on hope

What is hope, anyways? The dictionary defines hope like this: to cherish a desire with anticipation; to desire with expectation of obtainment; to expect with confidence : trust. Hope is something that is in short supply these days, at least if I read the news or listen to people around me very much. Wars, conflicts, disasters, economic crises, and problems of every kind fill the headlines. Personal relationships fall apart, prices keep going up on things we need, and there is a new health concern every day.

When I put my trust and hope in things that I can control, I quickly discover that the "control" I thought I had was an illusion. Family, friends, finances, work, health—try as I might to control these and other things in my own life, they are beyond my control. I have been through enough earthquakes to know that the things that seem the most solid in life can unexpectedly give way. So in what can I hope? What can I rely upon in a world where even the ground beneath my feet sometimes shakes?

There has to be someone or something outside myself that I can trust in, or there is very little reason to hope. My source of hope is Jesus. I have found that regardless of what happens in life,  Jesus is enough. What is it about Jesus that gives me hope? It is that I know regardless of what happens in my life, he loves me completely, so I am not alone.

That is not to say that because he loves me, my life will go perfectly. No, following Jesus has not resulted in financial riches, perfect health, or a problem-free life for me. Life happens to all of us, whether we follow Jesus or not. The difference is that I know down deep inside that I am not facing life all alone, having to rely entirely on my own resources. Jesus is right here with me, helping me deal with whatever comes.

To hope is to expect with confidence. Because of Jesus, I have an expectation with confidence that the future is ultimately bright. Life is worth living today and every day.

November 4, 2007